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Good Shepherd

Luke 15: 3-7
Page 214 in Growing in God’s Love

So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

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Let’s Build!
– Can you build a sheep pen?
– can you build a sheep? a flock of them?

I wonder what it is like to be a shepherd and lose a sheep?
I wonder what it is like to be found?
I wonder if you have ever been lost? What did it feel like?
I wonder what a celebration looks like with God?

Lost Sheep Sensory Play (targeted for younger kids)

Prepare a sensory area (pan of sand, sugar, kinetic sand, rice or look up a recipe for moon sand) and then bury 100 items (could be loom bands or beads).  Feel free to use what you have and even not bury all 100. 

Text Box:  Hide the loom bands in the mixture and then encourage the children to find them.  You might want to turn it into a game and see who can find the most.  It will get a bit messy so have some paper towels on hand!

Talk about:
How does it feel to be lost?
How does it feel when you are found?
What is it like to look for something?
Why do we look for things when we lose them?
Who or what would you look for if it was lost?

Talk about God’s love for us and his determination to show how much He loves us.

Directed Drawing (fun for all ages)

Visit https://safeYouTube.net/w/VnzX or scan the QR code below.  Have fun drawing your own sheep.  Feel free to add more to the picture, maybe a shepherd, some background or a flock.  No need to make a 100, but you can try 😊

Bubble Prayers (for all ages)

As you read the story of the One Hundred Sheep, you read about the shepherd caring about each one of those 100.  The ACT portion of your Bible tells us to notice people who are lost- these might be people at school that are sitting alone or don’t have anyone to play with.  We might listen during church prayer time for people who are sick or need our thoughts. 

Get your bubbles out and pray for those people.  Everyone is important to God!  As the bubbles float up and even pop, know that God hears our prayers and that as we release bubbles we give our cares and concerns to God.

Take it one step further…what can you do to show you care for others?

See what difference you might make!